A man staying at a Bethlehem assisted living center assaulted another resident in the middle of the night, threatening to kill the victim in what a staff member suspected was a post-traumatic stress episode, court papers say.

Brian E. Thomas, 49, a resident at Abbe Hall Personal Care Home in South Side Bethlehem, punched a fellow resident in the face three times at 4:18 a.m. Aug. 25, court papers say. The victim told authorities he was awakened by Thomas, who was "ranting and raving" about his vehicle being stolen, court records indicate.

Police say the victim had visible injuries from the assault and needed stitches to close a wound above his eye. The man told authorities Thomas threatened him.

"I'm going to make sure you're dead," Thomas allegedly said before leaving the room.

During an interview with police, Thomas admitted to striking the victim, court records say. Thomas said the victim had taken his vehicle several times, but veered off topic frequently while talking to an officer, court records say.

An Abbe Hall administrator told police Thomas suffered from PTSD-like symptoms and was mugged about five to six years ago, court records say. The administrator told police Thomas regularly relives the episode, according to court documents.

Thomas was arraigned today before District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez in Bethlehem on charges of terroristic threats, harassment and simple assault. He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.